Holder of Secrets Book 2: Unsuspected

By Margaret Gregory

After narrowly escaping death at the hands of a dangerous criminal, Peg Jessup and her friend Jack Dawes, head interstate to start a new life together. Peg’s blossoming musical talent is the impetus for them to head to Tamworth for the music festival. Now calling herself Megan, the name that is truly hers, she is prepared to leave her old life and identity behind.
However, the police believe she killed her aunt and faked suicide. They drag the waterhole at which her blood stained clothes were found. One of the bodies found there had died twenty years before.
Unware of the link to herself, and the memories dredged up by the find, Peg learns of shares she has inherited from her real mother and the deadly interest of two rival companies.
She and Jack flee Tamworth at the end of the festival, but when Jack is forced back to Melbourne, Peg takes up the offer of a gig with superstar Wayne Carson and the promise of a musical future.
The unexpected circumstances that lead her to save a newly discovered cousin from abduction, draw unwanted attention from the men after her shares. She is framed for a series of robberies and her fledgling career is put in jeopardy.
This story is set in the early 1970s.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Margaret Gregory
• Release date: Feb 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781925332803

Margaret Gregory

I have loved writing stories since I was in high school. Now...some years later...I am enjoying making them come alive again.After being a scientist for years, I have since turned to writing fantasy for upcoming publication and creating science articles for The Australia Times.

Book preview

Holder of Secrets

Part Two

Unrecognised

by

Margaret Gregory

Copyright © 2021 by Margaret Gregory

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

****

Please note that I use Australian spelling throughout.

You will see ou’s (colour) and ‘re’ (centre) as well as a few other differences from American spelling.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Cover designed by msgdragon

Cover images: © Adobe Stock / arts

www.tatindiepublishing.com.au

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Holder of Secrets

Part Two – unrecognised

Chapter 1

Pain woke me. Someone was slapping me, making my head ache, it pierced my brain.

Stop, I tried to insist, but only a croak came out. It seemed to do the trick. A hand lifted my chin and water flooded my throat. I swallowed some but most was coughed out. My eyes finally opened and I saw Harry King’s face.

Back with us, little bitch, he greeted me. About time! I’m in a hurry. You answer my questions straight and you won’t get hurt anymore. Play with me and you’ll get beaten, or worse. Understand?

He began with, Where does your Aunt hide her stuff?

It took me a moment to comprehend the question and that was too slow. Harry hit me with something and my leg stung.

She keeps her gin in the back of the larder. It was the first thing I thought of.

Another whack. I didn’t mean her grog, bitch. I mean her money, valuables.

He whacked me again before I could form the next answer and I wondered what he had done to my aunt if he was reduced to asking me. Did it matter if I told? I had her stuff hidden – all of it, I hoped.

She kept…housekeeping money in an old sock in her wardrobe.

What else?

I don’t know. No, maybe, I once saw a letter peeking out from under a chair in the lounge.

Who was it from?

Don’t know. I swear. She came and took it before I could look.

While my legs stung like I had been bitten by a hundred wasps, I heard Harry tell someone, Go back and check but make bloody sure the local cops aren’t there.

Then Harry got into specifics, but he asked about things that I really didn’t know about and couldn’t answer. I hardly heeded after he claimed Aunt Ida’s real name was Annie Simmons.

It had slowly dawned on me that I was tied to a tree and he had stripped me near naked. Once the other person had gone, he came closer and began to fondle me and finally removed the last of my clothes using his very sharp knife. Obviously he had wanted me awake and aware when he began to torment me. Then he touched that knife to my skin and laughed when I shivered. He had the flat of the blade running down from my chin to my chest, letting me know he could easily cut me. His whispered threats of what he could do, making it seem that I should be grateful if he only raped me.

The pounding in my head increased as he hit me over and over. I wasn’t aware of him revealing himself and when his powerful penetration jerked me against the tree, the world went black again.

I returned to vague consciousness. My body hurt everywhere. I knew that feeling, but I could not even rouse myself to anger.

Peg! Wake up. Please, wake up.

The whispered voice was urgent, pleading. I began to shiver. I tried to see who was with me, but it was almost dark. Gentle hands pressed fabric close around me. I tried to speak, but couldn’t seem to form words. My lips felt swollen.

It’s me, Stan, the voice told me.

Wha….?

Shh. I need you to get up, so we can get away.

I tried to push up, but I had no strength. Stan half lifted me and then needed to support me, until my head stopped spinning and my legs solidified from jelly. I began to cough and threw up a lot of water.

My mind could not grasp why he was still around Matlock. It was enough for me to know I could trust him. He helped me along a path that my eyes couldn’t see, until we reached a motorbike.

I’ll put you up in front of me, Stan said, lifting me. Put your leg over.

I did and gasped with renewed pain.

Sorry, Peg, but this is the fastest way to go.

Where? I forced out.

Away from here. I will find you a doctor somewhere.

No. Go to Jack Casey.

Mad miner Jack? Why?

Trust him. He will listen first. Not just take you in.

Okay, Peg. So long as he will look after you.

I moved in and out of consciousness as Stan drove the bike at near idling speed. He knew the way to Casey’s Mine, but not the state of the track. I fought to stay awake. I needed to ask Jack to help Stan. To convince the old man that Stan was not like Mick Devlin. Wasn’t dangerous.

How did you find me? I asked, trying to stay aware.

Fluke. I’d been out to check a trap I’d set and heard that bastard. He had another bloke with him and you were unconscious. I thought he’d killed you. You had blood running down from a head wound. Gave me a real shock when I realised it was you.

How’d you get me?

He went off for a bit. I got you free and carried you to my hide out.

Why’d you come back?

I’d thought over what you’d said. I was going to give myself up to your friend York, but I was dithering.

I felt myself fading out again. I don’t know how Aunt Ida is.

She’s a tough old bitch.

You don’t understand. I think Gianni is really mad at her this time.

We will tell Jack Casey. We aren’t far away now.

It hadn’t occurred to my foggy mind to warn him about the new gravel Jack had put around his hut. Even going dead slow, it crunched.

I was only vaguely aware that Jack had emerged with a shot gun aimed at us. I heard Stan say, Sir, I am not armed or intending trouble. I need…Peg needs, your help.

What did you do to her? Jack demanded.

I tried to protest, He did nothing… but Stan spoke over me. I pulled her out of Smokey’s waterhole. She’d been thrown in there. I saw a body floating and waded in to see who it was and get them out.

That wasn’t what he had told me earlier.

Bring her in, then hide the bike. When you have done that, will you be coming back?

Yes, Sir. You know who I am?

I do. Don’t be long.

Stan carried me in and put me down on Jack’s bed, near the oil heater, and then went to move the bike. Meanwhile, I heard Jack starting up his stove and putting the billy on. While it made its heating up noises, the water on its side hissing into steam, I felt Jack move the cover of the coat that Stan had put around me.

Who did this? he asked in his voice of authority.

Part of me hesitated, but Jack urged. You need to tell me.

Harry King.

You mentioned him the other day, Jack reminded me. Tell me what you know about him.

He’s from Melbourne. Works for Gianni Costa.

My god! Jack murmured. How did you get involved with him?

Aunt Ida. She was his pet whore, years ago, and I think still is.

So Harry King did this to you? Why?

He wanted answers I didn’t know. Things Aunt Ida probably didn’t tell him. He was at the house, had a cop with him, doing what he ordered. He cuffed me, but not tightly enough. I got away, but there was someone else that got me.

Jack had loosely covered me again and now he moved off to take the billy from the fire and then I heard him rummaging through a cupboard.

Lucky that someone stuffed my first aid box with stuff, Jack told me as he pulled a stool close to the bed. I am going to have to do something about the open cuts. The water in Smokey’s Dam isn’t the cleanest. This will sting.

I only felt the first few and then the blackness took over again.

When I next woke up, I was warm, and until I moved, nothing hurt. The hut was dimly lit – just one hurricane lamp on Jack’s table. I could hear him talking softly and when the other spoke, I recognised Stan’s voice. Their conversation was too quiet to hear and I didn’t try. I was just relieved that Jack was giving Stan a hearing. No one had done that when we had all been arrested.

Finally, Jack spoke a little louder. I am going to have to talk to Vic Maddern, see if he can arrange to take you somewhere, incognito. I think you need to talk to the Organised Crime task force.

What about Peg? And my mother if she is still okay?

Yes, Peg too…

I don’t want to talk to the police, I said. I was thinking of Jack’s uncle, being with Harry King. I thought he’d actually let me go, but then Harry had found me.

Jack seemed to have second thoughts. If what you said is true, Stan, and King thinks she is dead, she would be safer staying out of sight. However, if she know anything that might help the task force, I need to get her to them.

No!

Jack looked over at me. Peg, do you want King to stay free?

I want him dead!

I will tell you what, child, I will think on this until morning. Meanwhile, you get what rest you can. I cannot keep you here. Will you trust me?

I thought on that. He was a judge, sworn to uphold the law…

Okay, I guess.

I drifted off to sleep again until near morning when a minor disturbance erupted.

Jack can’t have slept. He was still sitting in his chair at the table when someone approached and knocked on the door.

Who is it, Jack called out grumpily.

It’s Mike Scott, and a friend.

Jack stood up, picked up the shot gun again and went to the door. He opened it a fraction and then wider – letting two people slip inside.

Who is your friend, Mike?

The friend answered. Jack Dawes, Sir. I am a friend of Peg Jessup.

Jack! I exclaimed, and two heads turned my way. This was going to be awkward.

The elder Jack sighed and sent the younger over to me.

Does anyone else know she is here? Jack Casey demanded.

Sir, I didn’t know. I just came here to get your help, Mike told him.

Go on, Casey invited.

Sir, they think Peg killed her aunt. Maddern and York had me at the station for hours. Grilling me.

Tell me what you know, Jack insisted.

I shushed my friend Jack Dawes, so that I could listen to what Mike told Jack Casey. I began to shiver. Maddern had told Mike his reasons and even I had trouble believing my innocence. Mrs Bernstein had reported the screams and seeing me run off. There was the broken gin bottle, and that had been used to kill her. It had my prints on it. My Aunt’s face had been bruised and grazed. Maddern had seen me hit her before and there was how I had fended off those louts last week. I wanted to be sick.

He finished with, Jack, she was trying to get her Aunt to leave the house. She wouldn’t kill her.

Jack stared at me for a long time and seemed to make a decision.

No doubt Maddern and York will be up here today. They probably know that Peg often visits. It will be better if they start investigating without her help.

He studied his young namesake. Young man, I need you to get Peg away from here, so listen carefully. Stan hid a bike near here – use it to go to Benalla – 10 Grosvenor Street. The owner is Nell Bricknell. She’s a former nurse and a good friend of mine. I will sketch a rough map for you.

While he did that, both Mike and Jack Dawes glanced at the silent man leaning against one of the walls of the hut, guessing that it was Stan Jessup.

Jack finished his sketch and handed over the paper. You will have to be careful to draw no attention. Peg had better cover her hair. That two tone look is distinctive. The fading facial bruises are bad enough. Peg, can you move around? You can borrow one of my shirts and a pair of shorts and a beanie.

Stan, can you bring the bike to the back of the shack?

What can I do? Mike asked.

Hold up this table cloth so that Peg can get dressed, Jack said. Do you know the way to the main road from here? Or to the uphill back road?

Both.

Okay, you can direct my namesake to the back road.

Casey went and fetched the promised clothes and tossed them onto the bed. Mike helped Jack Dawes hold up the cloth.

Are you going to tell the police where she is? Mike asked.

Not right away. I want to find out what is what first. There is a lot I know now that I am not going into. Best that you stick to what you know now. But – do not tell anyone that Peg was here. You came asking my help. That’s all.

And I didn’t see Stan Jessup? Mike asked.

I will be going with him to Maddern anyway, so yes, you can mention that Stan was here. That way, maybe they won’t ask about Peg.

Chapter 2

Jack Casey knew that dawn was not far off and if Mike had come straight up after leaving the police, they would probably be up at first light. As soon as Peg was dressed, he gave her aspirin for any pain and hurried her out to the bike, where Stan was giving Jack Dawes a brief lesson in riding it. They wouldn’t be going very fast at first, both because the track was rough and so the engine noise would not travel very far. Mike set off with them, able to keep up with them on foot.

Once they were gone, he and Stan covered the tracks with dirt and leaves and trampled on them. They had just gone back inside when the sound of a car engine working up the incline, was heard.

They will have to park five minutes down the track and walk the rest. Are you ready?

Yes, Sir, I am. Thank you for listening to me, Stan told him.

Thank young Peg. She had already put her opinion in. I really can’t fault the family loyalty – even if she isn’t a blood relation.

She’s a good kid, Stan agreed.

Well, don’t mention having found her at the waterhole, okay?

Stan nodded.

Then Jack asked, Do you know who her parents were?

No. Ma told everyone here she was her brother’s kid, but I’d never heard her mention any relatives. To Harry King, she made out Peg was hers – but Ma just turned up one day with her and she had not been pregnant. I resented Peg back then, for all she did for the first few weeks was cry all the time. Ned and Jasper didn’t mind, they were younger and liked the idea of a little sister.

The gravel outside crunched under two pairs of feet.

Ahoy, Jack, Vic Maddern called.

Jack went out. Vic, Steve, what brings you here so early?

Can we come in? Vic asked, but it was more of an order.

Of course. I have someone here who I was going to bring to you today.

Maddern walked in and looked around. His face betrayed surprise when he saw Stan Jessup, sitting on the edge of Jack’s bed.

While still watching the escapee he had been on the lookout for, he said to Jack, We came to see if you had seen Peg Jessup.

Or know where she might have gone, Steve York added, also keeping an eye on Stan.

Peg came here after the court case to tell me of the result, Jack Casey said smoothly. What’s the matter? Wouldn’t she be at work at the moment?

She didn’t turn up to work, Maddern explained. She also left work early yesterday. Owens said it was something to do with her aunt.

I see. How is Ida Jessup? Is she alright?

Maddern looked at Stan as he said, Ida Jessup was found dead, late last night.

Stan rose, as if the news was a shock. How? What happened?

It looks like murder. Had you been to see her?

No, Stan shook his head. I almost did, a few weeks back. But I figured you’d go there first and I didn’t want her in trouble.

Considerate, York commented. How long have you been in the district?

Not long, Detective York. I was wanting a couple of things and then was going to go interstate. Peg got the things for me.

Maddern frowned and Stan hurried to say, Sir, I don’t want to get her in trouble. I thought she’d hate me, but she didn’t. She said I ought to give myself up and finish my time. Promised to help me get a new start. No one else has cared enough about me to do that.

When was this? York asked sharply.

Stan thought back and estimated the date. I did go off, but I kept thinking on what Peg had said. So, I came back. She’d also said I ought to talk to Mr Casey.

You are voluntarily turning yourself in, then? Maddern stated.

Yes, Sergeant, I am.

Casey spoke up then. I am going to request that his recapture is kept quiet until I have spoken to the organised crime task force.

Will you share your reasoning, Jack?

It was Stan who answered. Because Gianni Costa is my father and he was the reason why I escaped.

Did your sister, Peg I mean, know this? York asked and when Stan nodded, he merely shook his head and began to move around the shack towards Stan. We will need to hand cuff you.

Stan turned and placed his wrists together.

Can I catch a ride, Sergeant? Jack asked. I am going to be acting as counsel to Mr Jessup.

Chapter 3

Jack Dawes had never ridden a motorbike before and he had only Stan’s brief instructions – but he felt the urgency to get Peg away.

While the engine was just idling, he didn’t think the sound would carry. In fact, he could hear a car revving up the lower part of the track. He couldn’t go any faster, since Mike had to walk and Peg had decided to do the same for that part of the track. At least he was getting a feel for keeping his balance and while doing so, had no time to wonder what Peg and Mike were discussing.

Finally, the twisty, winding track emerged onto a graded dirt track that was wide enough for a car. He stopped the bike.

This is the Upper Candowie fire track, Mike told Jack and indicated their position on Casey’s rough map. Go to the left and you will come out onto the main highway beyond Burrabri.

Right. Peg, are you ready to get on? You had better use the helmet.

What do you want me to do with the stuff you gave me, Peg? Mike asked.

That feels like a lifetime ago. Where is it?

Still in my car and that is back in town. After Maddern had finished with me, I went back to where I am staying and then snuck out to meet Jack.

I have two other bags stashed away too. More stuff from Aunt Ida’s place and the bag of spare clothes and cash I’d got ready for my getaway.

Do you need it? Mike asked.

Mainly the money. If I am ‘dead’, I can’t exactly go to the bank and they will probably stop paying in that allowance anyway.

I’ve got money, Jack assured her.

Yeah, but how long will that last?

For a while.

Peg thought for a bit. Can you meet us at that address, or somewhere part way? And bring the stuff?

Ah, there’s a roadhouse near Myrtleford, before the turn off to Benalla, Mike recalled.

Ok, there, Peg decided. Bring what’s in your car. Not that album though. I don’t need that. But I’d like the other stuff retrieved, to get the money out of it.

Why did you take what you did? Mike asked.

I thought that if it was whatever Harry King had been sent for, if he couldn’t find it, Aunt Ida would be safe.

What was it?

Damned if I know. Might be documents, might be photos. The stupid bitch tried blackmail and way back when, probably took stuff Gianni wanted. And I really can’t see why anyone still cares. Still, I don’t want to chuck it out and I don’t want to haul it around.

What about a storage place, Jack suggested. I know of a couple of places that will store old business documents. They are in Melbourne though, or just out of it.

You tell me where they are, Mike offered, and I can put the stuff there and send you the details.

Peg leant from her seat on the bike and gave Mike a hug. That’s thanks for being such a good friend.

Jack held out a hand to Mike. Thanks, I owe you one.

Mike shrugged. Be careful, both of you.

Mike half ran, half walked back towards town. He reached the start of the dirt road at the bottom of the hill where he’d left the car. This was one Jack Dawes had borrowed. They’d used it rather than his, because he hadn’t wanted the local police to know he’d gone out again after they had let him loose.

Jack had given him the keys to drive, since he knew the local roads, and told him to call his mate to come and get it. Mike, however, decided to drive it back to Melbourne when he went to store the stuff Peg didn’t want with her. Then he would catch the train back. He wished he could have slept more, for once he was back at his digs, he’d only had about an hour when Jack called him to say he had arrived in town. He had to have been over the speed limit all the way from Melbourne.

Mike told himself not to speed, he didn’t need to be stopped by any of the local cops just now. He went past his lodging house and parked around the corner. Then he used the lane that ran behind the lodging house to get back there. He had the idea to collect a few more things that might be useful for Peg and Jack – spare clothes, a torch and battery radio. Perhaps a few cans from his land lady’s pantry. He need something to wrap that photo album in too.

On his way out with his packed bag, Mike remembered that he’d need to let Mrs Brewster know he wouldn’t be in for a few days. She would soon hear about Peg, if she hadn’t already, so it wouldn’t hurt to tell her. He would mention that he’d been trying to help the police last night. She would probably guess that he wouldn’t want to face anyone today. He’d give her a call and then get going to find where she had stowed the packs and get to the roadhouse.

He discovered however, that Maddern had all the police in the district out searching. He couldn’t get near either place Peg had mentioned, without attracting attention. As it was, they had already stopped him twice to ask what he was doing. His answer was that he was looking for Peg. Each time, he was told to go home, but he’d promised Peg. Finally, he figured that the best he could do was take what he had and bring the rest later. So he headed for the highway.

Jack Dawes had to stop at the first petrol station they saw, for the bike was almost out of fuel. Peg almost fell off the bike and only managed to stay upright with him holding her.

Are you alright?

Peg tried to make a joke of it. No. I have never ridden a motor bike before. Her attempt was spoilt by her grimace of pain that wasn’t only from sore muscles. I will take some of the aspirin that Jack Casey gave me.

It isn’t just from the ride!

Forget it, Jack. We need to keep moving. You get fuel while I find the ladies room here.

Peg took off the helmet and made sure her hair was still under the woollen hat.

Looking like that, Jack commented. You should go to the gents!

No. Peg couldn’t control a shudder at the idea. I won’t be long.

Jack found the pump attendant, an old man with a trimmed grey beard and then had to endure he casual small talk, like, Where are you off to?

Not sure yet? Jack evaded. Do you know of any work in the district?

That got the man talking, instead of asking questions.

Bit early for fruit picking, he mused aloud. And most of the planting is done...

Jack ignored the muttering when a police car pulled in. He had hoped to be long gone before the local cops started a man hunt. The pump stopped and he pulled out his wallet to pay the man – interrupting his talk. Do you have an air pump? I ought to check the tyres while I am here.

The man spotted the police car and quickly pointed to the pump. It was closer to the toilets and partly obscured by a delivery truck.

Thanks, mate, he said as he began to wheel the bike that way.

One of the police officers got out to talk to the attendant. The other came in Jack’s direction.

Damn! Jack cursed under his breath. He shouldn’t be scared of cops. Not now. He was straight and working for his uncle who was a high